Three real-world projects demonstrate the power of bespoke hospitality concepts

‘It is not the technology, but the hotel concept that determines the solution’

A digital key on your smartphone? For some hotel guests, it’s the most natural thing in the world, whilst others prefer to be welcomed in person at reception. For Hotek Hospitality Group, both preferences are equally natural. The company develops and implements access solutions that align with the concept of every hospitality venue. Three showcase projects – a fully digital city hotel, a luxury wellness hotel and a restaurant with multifunctional meeting rooms – demonstrate how Hotek translates bespoke solutions into a wide variety of hospitality concepts.

“We don’t just supply a product; we’re a genuine partner to our customers,” says Stijn Batenburg, Sales Co-ordinator at Hotek. “Customers can turn to a single provider for everything. Thanks to our comprehensive range, which spans from electronic locks and Mobile Key solutions to all the associated accessories, we offer a genuine one-stop-shop solution. In addition, we have our own team of experienced fitters. This means we are flexible, can respond quickly and guarantee the quality of our installation and service.”

According to him, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution for access control. After all, every hospitality venue has its own target audience, identity and way of working. That is why every project begins with an assessment of the client’s requirements, focusing not on the technology but on the hospitality concept. It is precisely this combination that makes Hotek more than just a supplier, says Batenburg. “We don’t just contribute ideas on the technical side, but on the overall solution.”

Hotel without a reception

For Hotek, Hotel Vie Via in Leeuwarden is a prime example of the ongoing digitalisation within the hospitality industry. The hotel does not have a traditional reception desk. Guests check in entirely online and are then sent a digital key to their smartphone.

“The technology has to work flawlessly, because there’s no reception desk where guests can pop in to collect a key,” says Batenburg. “That’s why we worked with the client to find a solution that fits in perfectly with their concept.”

But Hotek’s role doesn’t stop there, he explains. “The entire guest journey has to be just right. Through the same web app, guests not only gain access to their hotel room, but also to practical information, offers and additional services. We work with you to design the entire guest journey and ensure that hardware and software work together seamlessly.”

Nevertheless, he believes that digitalisation does not mean that personal contact will disappear. On the contrary. “In fact, staff have more time for genuine hospitality, because administrative tasks have largely been automated.”

The hotel concept as a starting point

Hotel Otium in Roosendaal proves that digitalisation does not always mean that a smartphone replaces the standard keycard. This wellness hotel has deliberately opted for electronic locks in combination with physical keycards. “In a wellness hotel, it’s all about tranquillity, luxury and personalised attention. So being welcomed at reception fits perfectly into the overall experience.”

Although Mobile Key is becoming increasingly popular, a physical keycard remains a good choice for many hotels, says Batenburg. “Ultimately, the choice depends on the hotel’s concept and the hotelier’s requirements. A city hotel with many international guests often requires maximum speed and digitalisation. A wellness hotel, on the other hand, has different requirements. We therefore do not recommend a single standard solution, but always look at what best suits the hotel’s identity.”

Outside the hotel room as well

The fact that Hotek’s expertise extends far beyond the traditional hotel market is evident from Restaurant Comer in Haarlem. Here, the meeting rooms were fitted with an electronic access control system.

“Meeting rooms are used by various guests and companies. It is therefore important that access rights can be managed easily.” The system enables the venue to efficiently determine who has access to which room and when, without any complicated procedures. “This makes things easier not only for the administrator, but also for the users.”

For Batenburg, this project demonstrates that Hotek’s expertise extends beyond the traditional hotel market. “Whether it’s hotel rooms, meeting rooms or other spaces, ultimately it always comes down to the same question: which solution best suits both the guest and the venue’s concept?”